[[Begin interview transcript.]]
[You were hired to be the Santa for the library’s holiday party, correct?]
Yes. I’ve been Santa for the CPL for the past eight years now.
[But not this year?]
Tricia hired me, but unfortunately I got a flat tire on the way to the library, and it took triple-A over an hour to get to me. And I don’t have a cell phone, so I couldn’t call to let them know that I wouldn’t make it this year.
[I guess it’s lucky that she had a backup Santa.]
I’ve known Leroy for a long time. He isn’t exactly filled with holiday cheer.
[You eventually made it to the library, though?]
Only after the party was over. I still went in to see if they needed a Santa, but everyone was gone. It was only Tricia in there though. I offered to help clean up.
[Witnesses said they heard yelling, and saw you and the victim in an argument.]
Sure. She was upset that I showed up late, because, like I said, Leroy doesn’t make a great Santa. But after Joe left, I apologized and explained to her about my car. She calmed down and offered me one of the leftover cookies from the cookie decorating station. Look, see? I even got some of the frosting on my gloves. Yeah, you can take them as evidence. Whatever you need. But I swear, when I left Tricia was alive.
[Around what time did you leave?]
About 5:10.
[[End recording.]]
